Charges Dropped Against Accused Shooter

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WILKES-BARRE – Prosecutors in Luzerne County said charges of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment filed against Fernando Torres were dropped, because the man he was accused of shooting, skipped a preliminary hearing.

District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis said the charges were withdrawn and the $1 million bail was dropped, because the man who was shot in the neck in Hazleton refuses to cooperate with authorities.

Salavantis said prosecutors are frustrated by the time and money dedicated to the case, but the shooting investigation has not been closed.

“Responding when it first occurs, having detectives out, having ADAs out, just the involvement from every person and each department, that costs a lot of money,” said Salavantis. “It’s unfortunate that this is the last resort that we’d turn to, but in order to protect the case, we felt that dismissing the charges was appropriate.”